Of all the fully funded government scholarships open to Pakistanis, Türkiye Bursları is the one with the widest door: it funds bachelor’s, master’s and PhD study, it does not require IELTS in every case, and it even teaches you Turkish for a year before your degree begins. That breadth is also what makes it confusing. The same programme has different marks thresholds, different age limits and different expectations at each level, and an application that is strong for a master’s can be ineligible for a bachelor’s on age alone.
This guide sets out the rules as published by Türkiye Scholarships, what the funding actually includes, and how Pakistani applicants should approach the choices, the documents and the interview.
What Türkiye Bursları covers
Türkiye Bursları is a Turkish government scholarship that places successful applicants at Turkish universities and funds the full package: university placement and tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish language course where needed, and a round-trip flight ticket. The stipend amount is set per cycle and per level, and it is revised over time, so treat any lira figure quoted in an old article as out of date and check the current programme page for the present rate.
The language year deserves a paragraph of its own, because it changes the decision for many applicants. If your programme is taught in Turkish, or you do not already hold the required Turkish proficiency, you spend a year learning Turkish before the degree starts. For students who want to study in Turkish — medicine and several other fields are taught largely in Turkish — that year is the bridge that makes the degree possible. For students applying to English-taught programmes with the required English scores, the language year may not apply in the same way. Either way, factor the extra year into your plans rather than discovering it after selection.
Who can apply: age and marks thresholds
These thresholds are published on the official Türkiye Scholarships site and are applied strictly, so check them before anything else:
| Level | Maximum age | Minimum academic achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (bachelor’s) | Under 21 | 70% |
| Master’s | Under 30 | 75% |
| PhD | Under 35 | 75% |
| Health sciences (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) | As per level | 90% |
| Research scholarships | Under 45 | As per programme |
A few further conditions apply across levels. The programme is open to citizens of countries other than Türkiye — Turkish citizens and people who have lost Turkish citizenship are not eligible. You must not already be enrolled at a Turkish university at the same degree level you are applying for, and you must have graduated or be able to graduate by the end of the academic year in which you apply (generally by August of that year). Applicants should also be in good health, since selected candidates undergo a medical examination.
One nuance worth knowing: at graduate level, Türkiye Scholarships does not award scholarships in health sciences in the same way as at undergraduate level, so a master’s applicant aiming at a clinical health field should check the graduate programme rules carefully rather than assuming the undergraduate health route extends upwards.
Do you need IELTS?
Not always — and this is a genuine advantage of the programme. Language requirements follow the chosen university and programme: English-taught programmes may ask for IELTS or TOEFL, while Turkish-taught programmes rely on the free Turkish language year. If you have a language certificate, upload it; if you do not, you are not automatically excluded from programmes that do not require one. What you cannot do is ignore the language question altogether: a programme taught in a language you cannot follow is a poor choice no matter how prestigious the university.
How to apply
Applications are made online, free of charge, through the Türkiye Scholarships Application System (TBBS) on the official portal. The application window usually opens once a year in January and closes in February, with evaluation, interviews and final results following over the spring and summer and arrivals in the autumn — but those months are the pattern, not a promise, and the current cycle’s dates on the official site are the only ones that count.
- Create your account on the official portal with a valid email address and select Pakistan as your country of citizenship.
- Complete your profile honestly: personal details, academic history, language skills, and extracurricular activities and achievements.
- Choose your programmes carefully. You can list up to twelve university and programme preferences. Use the spread sensibly: a few ambitious choices, several strong matches, and a few where admission is realistic. Twelve copies of the same programme at twelve similar universities is not a strategy.
- Upload your documents: a valid passport or national identity card, a recent photograph, diplomas or graduation certificates, full transcripts, language certificates where applicable, exam results such as SAT, GRE or GMAT where the chosen programme asks for them, a letter of intent, and a research proposal for PhD applicants.
- Write a letter of intent that is specific. Why this field, why Türkiye, why these programmes, and what you intend to do afterwards. Evaluators read thousands of these; the ones that work name programmes, departments and plans, not just countries.
- Submit before the deadline and keep the confirmation. Late or incomplete applications are not considered, and portal traffic near the deadline is a real risk — submit days early, not hours early.
The interview stage
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview, usually conducted online or in person in their home country. Expect questions that test the consistency of your application: why this field, why Türkiye rather than another destination, what you know about your chosen programmes, and what you plan to do after graduation. An answer that contradicts your letter of intent, or a programme choice you cannot explain, does more damage than a nervous pause. Prepare by re-reading your own application the week before, not by memorising someone else’s sample answers.
Choosing programmes: a practical approach for Pakistanis
Pakistani applicants are often drawn to the same handful of famous universities in Istanbul and Ankara, which concentrates competition. Broaden the search: Türkiye has strong engineering, architecture, business, Islamic studies and international relations programmes well beyond the two largest cities, and a well-matched programme at a strong regional university is worth more than a long-shot application to a famous one. Check the language of instruction for every choice, check whether the programme expects standardised test scores, and make sure your marks meet the threshold for the level — 70, 75 or 90 percent — before listing it.
Also think about the return question early. Türkiye Bursları does not impose the same formal return bond as some other government scholarships, but a credible post-graduation plan still strengthens both the letter of intent and the interview. Whether you intend to work in Pakistan, pursue further research, or build a professional practice, say so concretely.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for Türkiye Bursları?
Yes. The programme is open to citizens of all countries except Türkiye, and Pakistanis are among its largest applicant groups. You apply through the same international portal as everyone else.
Is there an application fee?
No. Applications through the official TBBS portal are free. Any person or website charging a fee to submit your Türkiye Bursları application is not part of the official process.
Can I apply before I graduate?
Yes, if you will graduate by the end of the current academic year, generally before August of the application year. Check the current cycle’s wording, since the exact cut-off is set per cycle.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Not for every programme. It is required only where the chosen university or programme asks for it, typically for English-taught programmes. Turkish-taught programmes use the one-year Turkish language course instead.
Where do I apply?
Through the official Türkiye Scholarships portal. This site is independent and not affiliated with the Turkish government — confirm age limits, marks thresholds, stipend rates and current dates on turkiyeburslari.gov.tr before submitting.